Need Serious Reviews on a $1000 Build

[chensteven]

Approximate Purchase Date: September-October

Budget Range: $1000ish

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Video/Photo Editing, Programming

Parts Not Required: W7Ulti OS/Keyboard/Mouse/24" Monitor/Speakers

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: NCIX/MemoryExpress/Newsegg (Canadian)

Country of Origin: Canada

Parts Preferences: Intel

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: The goal of this build is to allow me to play games such as SC2, D3, Dota 2, BF3 at a high setting while allowing me to multi-task (ex. Adobe/Coding). I will also have two monitors. I might also be looking into SLI in the future. Lastly, I'm also looking to dual boot/hackintosh, so I was wondering if anyone can help me out with that in terms of what I should be looking for in hardware.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Processor: Intel Core i5 2500K Quad Core Unlocked Processor LGA1155 3.3GHZ Sandy Bridge 6MB = $199.99

Motherboard: I'm looking for a future proof Z68 Mobo

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws X F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL 8GB 2X4GB DDR3-1600 CL9-9-9-24 Memory = $48.99

Is this enough RAM?

Graphics Card: I'm originally looking for a GTX 560 Ti, but I'm also cool with SLI or other video cards that might be more ideal

Hard Drive: Western Digital WD Caviar Black 750GB 7200RPM 64MB Buffer SATA3 3.5IN Internal Hard Drive = Got it for $49.99 already

I'm also wondering if I should get an another Hard Drive or a SDD? I don't know how I should approach this, can somebody enlighten me? (If you look up, I'm looking to dual boot or create a hackintosh)

Case: Zalman Z9 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case Black 3X5.25 1X3.5 5X3.5INT No PS W/ Fan Controller & Temp Display = $47.98

Power Supply: Antec Earthwatts Green 650W Power Supply ATX12V V2.2 EPS12V Active PFC 80PLUS 120MM Fan = $44.99

Is this powerful enough for my build?

Cooling: Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus Direct Touch 4 Heatpipe Heatsink AM2 AM3 LGA1366 LGA1155 LGA1156 120MM = Got it for $24.99 already

DVD Burner: LG GH24NS70 24X SATA Internal DVD Writer Burner DVDRW Optical Drive Black OEM = $16.99

Total: $433.92 without tax so far

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*If there are any other suggestions or recommendations, feel free to tell me. This is my first time building a computer and I want to make sure I'm doing the right thing.

 

[Proximon]

I don't know where your total is atm. I would say you should get the GTX 570, as you can't use ATI 69xx in hackintosh, but GTX 570 is pricey. So ya youu are limited to 560ti
http://ncix.com/products/?sku=60642&vpn=N560GTX-Ti%20HAWK&manufacture=MSI%2FMicroStar

And for the MB, Gigabyte
http://ncix.com/products/?sku=62197&vpn=GA-Z68XP-UD4&manufacture=Gigabyte
Apparently Hackintosh friendly, maybe.


The PSU is fine, but just to cover a bit more in the future 750W would be best
XFX
http://ncix.com/products/?sku=59617&vpn=P1750SNLB9&manufacture=XFX&promoid=1370

Corsair
http://ncix.com/products/?sku=58382&vpn=CMPSU-750TXV2&manufacture=Corsair&promoid=1370


You don't just "create a hackintosh" out of random parts. You have to pick parts that are compatible with the OS. For instance there has to be proper drivers for your motherboard.

 

[chensteven]

Thanks Proximon.

I will look into a better PSU perhaps.
In terms of compatibility with the OS, are there any specific parts that I should be aware of?

 

[chensteven]

Is this a good reliable PSU?
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX34738(ME).aspx

 

[g-unit1111]

Wow, I love that case! I don't know much about Zalman other than their CPU fans (which are excellent) but that is one sweet case.

Definitely go for an SSD if you can.

Motherboard - this is the one I got, it's been pretty solid and stable so far, have had no issues with it:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128512

Graphics card: The 560 is a good choice, go with EVGA if you're considering an NVIDIA card. Also take a good look at the AMD Radeon HD 6800 and 6900 if that suits you, it's better for running multiple monitors.

PSU: If you're looking for a good, reliable, safe PSU, check out the Corsair Builder Series. Anything over 750 watt is overkill unless you run tons of hard drives, triple SLI, and things of that nature.

 

[Proximon]

That PSU is fairly good, yes. Probably a Sirfa built unit or similar, so not quite the quality of the two I linked but adequate at least.

 

[chensteven]

Best answer selected by chensteven.